Media Hub

The presentation of two faculty chair awards was a highlight of the Monday, August 24 faculty and staff meeting to kick off the 2026–2027 school year. The prestigious honors not only celebrated two outstanding teachers but also the dedication, talent, and love of learning they bring to their classrooms every day. Their passion, humility, and care embody what it means to be a McDonogh educator — and their students are the true beneficiaries.

Thomas R. Harper 1963 Teaching Chair Awarded to Jody Christophe
The Thomas R. Harper 1963 Teaching Chair, established in 2001, was awarded to Middle School French teacher Jody Christophe. Patient and encouraging, Christophe is deeply committed to every student. Going far beyond language instruction, she helps students develop empathy, kindness, cultural understanding, and global competence.

As part of her efforts to cultivate global citizenship, she regularly organizes field trips to Montreal, Quebec, and New Orleans, exposing students to Francophone culture and allowing them to apply their conversational skills in real life. She meticulously plans every detail to ensure each student has a safe, meaningful, and enjoyable experience — a reflection of her genuine commitment to their growth and well-being.

Farace noted that Christophe has also been a member of the school-wide Diversity Leadership Committee and a cornerstone of the Middle School Diversity Group. "Her work with Multicultural Nights, Black History Month activities, Global Citizens Week, and international student exchanges contributes to her students' understanding of the global village they inhabit," he said. "She is not only an outstanding educator, but an incredible human being."

Charles C. Kinard, Sr. Distinguished Teaching Chair Awarded to David Radford
The Class of 1952 Charles C. Kinard, Sr. Distinguished Teaching Chair, established in 2007, was presented to Dave Radford, who came to McDonogh in 2017 as the School's Digital and Social Media Manager and brought a fresh perspective to how McDonogh's story was told. "He didn't just take photographs and record events," Farace said. "He brought the stories to life, capturing the real moments and illustrating the joy of learning."

Though highly successful in that role, Radford was drawn to teaching and joined the Upper School Art Department in 2022. Since then, he has redesigned the photography and filmmaking curriculum, created new courses, and refreshed existing ones, attracting an enthusiastic group of students who respect his vast expertise. He holds his students to high standards and empowers them to exceed their own expectations — teaching, coaching, and guiding them every step of the way. At the end of each school year, he hosts the Short Film Festival, an ideal showcase for the talent of budding filmmakers who might otherwise go unnoticed.

Before presenting the award, Farace shared the words of a student who described Radford this way: "He embodies what it means to be an exceptional teacher and mentor. Not only does he possess a level of expertise in his craft that allows him to offer an immense breadth of knowledge about the art of filmmaking, but more importantly, he possesses the rare ability to step back and let you develop your own creative voice."

Congratulations to Jody Christophe and Dave Radford on this well-deserved recognition.